One of the common questions asked by a budding chess player is, which books must he chose to develop his positional and strategic skills? Often it is easier to find books , which focus on tactics, but to search for material on the most relevant strategy chess book is often difficult. I have made a small list of books which might be useful to develop positional skills.

Books by Kotov and Polgar focus more on tactics. Some of the easier to find books on strategy are by Lasker and Yasser Sairawan and by Bronstein. For some authors, such as Pachman, I have listed all available books even though I have gone through only a few pages from his book, Modern Chess Strategy. If his other books are any where near the quality of of those pages , then they too are worth studying. Positional play can't be divorced from tactics, so I have listed some books for that.

One of the often asked questions is - "Is studying Nimzovitsch relevant today? " . My answer would be that, yes, somewhere along the line, Nimzovitsch must be read. But not right away. Start slowly and build yourself from the bottom. Study the games of the great Masters... start with the great Rubeinstein.

The Development of Chess Style
by: Max Gms Euwe, John Nunn, Max Euwe

Judgment and Planning in Chess
by: Max Euwe

Strategy & Tactics in Chess
by: Max Euwe

The Middlegame, Book 2: Dynamic & Subjective Features (Algebraic Edition)
by: M. Euwe, H. Kramer

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The Art of the Middle Game
by: Paul Keres, Alexander Kotov,

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Modern Chess Strategy
by: Ludek Pachman All S. Russell

Modern Chess Tactics: Pieces and Pawns in Action
by: Ludek Pachman

Complete Chess Strategy: First Principles of the Middle Game
by: Ludek Pachman

Complete Chess Strategy: Principles of Pawn Play and the Cter
by: Ludek Pachman

Complete Chess Strategy 2: Principles of Pawn Play and the Ctre
by: Ludek Pachman

Complete Chess Strategy: Play on the Wings
by: Ludek Pachman
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Pawn structure chess
by: Andy Soltis
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Plan Like a Grandmaster (Batsford Chess Books)
by: Alexei Seutin, K Neat

Think Like A Grandmaster: Algebraic Edition
by: Alexander Kotov
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Soviet School of Chess
by: Alexander Kotov and Mikhail Yudovich

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With interest levels rising in the chess world on the impending World championship match between the present world Champion Vishwanathan Anand and the challenger Veselin Topalov, it is fascinating to know what goes on in the minds of the players. NTV (a Russian television channel) chess correspondent - Marina Makarycheva, conducted an interview with former world champion and challenger Veselin Topalov, on his thoughts about the game as well as on current events in the chess world. The interview is in Russian and can be read on the Gazeta online. Below are excerpts of this interview which I have translated into English.

Marina Makarycheva: Over the past few years, you have been consitently winning the top events in chess, scoring over your close competitors, can this lead to complacency? Is this what happened in your match against Kamsky?

Veselin Topalov: Yes, perhaps, this is a reasonable assumption. I have been giving very good performances and am accustomed to winning easily. Against Kamsky, my country folk from Bulgaria , and also my fans throughout the world, were confident about an easy victory, probably a part of this rubbed over, leading to complacencey.

Nevertheless, despite the convincing scoreline, I can not say that I am pleased with the quality of the games I played in the match. Every game was of a different quality and there was no consistency in my play.

Marina Makarycheva: About the World championship Match against Anand. When is it likely to be held? What are your preparations?

Veselin Topalov: Frankly, it does not depend on me alone. Anand, FIDE and the sponsors - all of us have to come to a consensus for the game to occur. Regarding preparations, I will be closely following Vishy's games henceforth. I would also like to add that, I have studied the games Vishy played at Linares.

But, if I play at the level I played at Sofia against Kramnik, then Vishy is not going to let me off as easily as Kamsky.

Marina Makarycheva: What will be your approach against Anand? Will you be as aggressive as with Kamsky or will you play more carefully to eliminate any errors?

Veselin Topalov: Those are the least of worries on my Mind at present. I am at the moment only thinking about where and under what conditions, these games will be held.

Marina Makarycheva: Recently FIDE changed the format of the current World Chess Champioship cycle, midway. Originally , the winner of the Grand Prix cycle was to play the World champion. But now it has been replaced by an 8 player Candidates cycle format. What are your thoughts on this?

Veselin Topalov: Honestly, I have a negative feeling about this. After all, it is not a secret that, had Kramnik won at Bonn, instead of Anand, there would have been no changes in the rules. Anand would have had to fight his way back via the world cup at Khanty-Mansiysk. While now the Loser of Bonn will get a direct entry into the Candidates cycle without working for it.

On the other hand though, with the economic recession and the Global Chess situation -FIDE could not go ahead with the Grand Prix cycle. So the situation is quite complicated.

Frankly, I am unhappy with the situation, but, understand that these are things beyond my control.

Marina Makarycheva: Finally, Is it possible to beat Vishy Anand?

Veselin Topalov: Frankly, If you compare the standard of my play against Kamsky at Sofia, and the level at which Anand played against Kramnik in Bonn... Anand is clear favourite. But there is still time and I will prepare carefully and be ready for him.

Silvio Danailov (Topalov's Manager): I think no one is in doubt that Veselin Topalov is the best player in the world. He has the highest rating among all players and is clearly playing better than everyone else. Do not forget, Anand became world champion in Mexico, only because Veselin did not take part in it. He was not allowed to play there. If Veselin had played, Anand wouldn't have been the World champion in the first place.

Secondly, I'm sure, that whenever and wherever the Match be held against Anand, It is Topalov's Karma/Fate to be champion. It is predetermined. I do not say that Veselin will crush Anand, those would be strong words, I just want to say that Veselin will win, no doubt about it.

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Taleigao Chess Academy Sports Club will organise all India children chess tournament on May 2 and 3 at Shri Yogeshwari Mandir, Bicholim.

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The brain game of chess is receiving a fillip among residents of the tiny tourist state of Goa,especially,among the young school kids who are all admirers of local champion- Ivana Furtado. Across Goa in schools there are chess clubs coming up, with Parents, teachers and participants all gung-ho about the game, that they feel has a great potential. Chess as a sport has come up smartly over the last three years. The successes of local players like Ivana Furtado and Vidula Dempo has only spurred the interest.

Corporate sponsorships have been emerging in the last two years perhaps due to series of successes by local players. At present, there are about five Goan business houses that are major supporters of the game. However as in other states across the country, Government support is lacking. There is no proper infrastructure provide by the state , for training young talents or for organising various tournaments. Mostly chess tournaments are held in wedding halls or school premises where the facilities are all very basic.

The government should definitely come forward and recognise chess as a sport. There is a lot of enthusiasm for it and we need to capitalise on it to bring recognition to the state.